Natalina Reis's Blog, page 48
July 1, 2016
NEW! Romance Anthology
★★★COVER REVEAL★★★
Coming July 15th
Love, Always: An Anthology of Romantic Short Stories
Authors: S. Valentine, A. Gorman, Jennifer Loring, A.L. Vincent, Haley Allison, Jennifer Allis Provost, Michelle Jo Quinn, Debbie De Louise, Erin Lee, J.A. Kerr, Michael Ross, Natalina Reis, Lilly James, Alison Mello, Gabriela Cabezut, C.J. Laurence, Camille Taylor
Cover Design by Rock Your World Promotions
Stock Photo via Adobe Stock
★ SYNOPSIS ★
Sometimes the line between love and lust is blurred by more than just blind infatuation.
Love comes in many different forms, at different times, and in many ways. Each new relationship creates their own story as they risk everything and go along for the ride.
Love, Always is the perfect recipe for romance. Sixteen authors have created a collection of stories filled with desire ranging from hot and steamy, to sweet and sentimental. Whether they are what you expect or not, we guarantee a love filled with laughter and passion just for you. The only question that remains is, we can’t control who we fall for…so who will capture your heart?
Love, Always.
***Only available as a giveaway/competition prize. Be on the lookout!***
★★★MEGA GIVEAWAY★★★
Enter here for a chance to win one of TEN copies of the Love, Always anthology!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
June 30, 2016
WHAT’S LEFT OF ME
The Firebird Trilogy, Book #2
Cover Designer: WICKED BY DESIGN
— SYNOPSIS —
Recovering from years of living the superstar hockey life wasn’t easy, but now Aleksandr Volynsky finally has everything…He’s married to the love of his life, expecting a daughter, and has a new job as an assistant coach with his old team, the Buffalo Gladiators. His happiness is short lived, however, when a sexual assault allegation surfaces, and Alex is forced to cooperate with an investigation for a crime he didn’t commit.
Stephanie Hartwell is juggling her dream job with marriage and motherhood, but she’s not convinced she’s doing any of it well…
Stephanie’s stress level goes from bad to worse when she’s diagnosed with a serious illness. Battling declining health and the critics who question her commitment to Alex in light of the allegation, she makes a decision that could change their relationship forever.
Alex is afraid he’s about to lose everything—especially when he sees Stephanie’s friend kiss her…
Devastated that his life is spiraling out of control again, Alex turns to his friend, Natasha, a Russian pop star. Convinced that Stephanie and her friend Brandon are having an affair, Alex resumes his self-destructive behavior.
What Alex doesn’t know is Stephanie has been conducting a secret investigation of her own. She learns the truth behind the sexual assault—a truth no one, especially Alex, expects.
With everything now out in the open, can Stephanie and Alex commit to a fresh start for the sake of their daughter, or will the ghosts of their pasts finally tear apart everything they have left?
— THE FIREBIRD TRILOGY —
BOOK 1: FIREBIRD: http://amzn.to/2963z3S
★✩★ MEET THE AUTHOR ★✩★
Jennifer Loring’s short fiction has appeared in numerous magazines, webzines, and anthologies. DarkFuse published her novella Conduits in 2014, and her debut novel, Those of My Kind, was published by Omnium Gatherum in May 2015. Jenn is a member of the International Thriller Writers and the Horror Writers Association and holds an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She lives in Philadelphia, PA, with her husband, a turtle, and two basset hounds.
LIMITLESS PUBLISHING: http://www.limitlesspublishing.net/authors/jennifer-loring/
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1493991.Jennifer_Loring
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferTLoring
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/JenniferTLoring
WEBSITE: http://jennifertloring.com/
BETTER THAN REVENGE
BETTER THAN REVENGE
Ever since Violet Forrester first moved next door to Brianna, she has been tortured relentlessly…
It seems like Brianna has everything, and yet she still doesn’t have the one thing she really wants; the one thing that Violet cares about the most—Blake Edwards.
After years of letting Brianna walk all over her, Violet’s finally had enough. She’s tired of sitting back and watching Brianna flirt with her boyfriend, steal her friends, and push her around. She’s finally ready to stand up for herself.
To do this, Violet and her new friend, Lena, devise a plan to make Brianna realize that not everything is hers for the taking, and Violet knows the perfect way to do it…
After all, nothing is better than revenge.
That is, until someone gets hurt.
SCARLET AWAKENING
With the drama of the school year behind them, sisters Lena and Ella Snotty are off to California for the summer…
Their parents have recently separated, and the sisters are becoming closer, though Lena can’t get past wanting to know more about their fractured family. While unpacking, Lena finds a photo of their mother with the twins she gave up for adoption, and notices something very strange.
In the photo, there’s a man she’s never seen before…
Assuming it must be the man who adopted the twins, Lena and Ella set out to find him so they can meet their younger siblings. As they search, Lena reconnects with Carter Anderson, the boy she dumped abruptly the year before, causing her to wonder whether or not she should return to Virginia in the fall.
Did the man in the picture truly adopt the twins—or is John Symmes someone else altogether?
A journey through the past might just change their lives forever…
PLAYING WITH FIRE
Ella Snotty is worth more than a quickie…
After a family scandal tore their family apart, seventeen-year-old Ella chooses to stay in California with her mom for the rest of the school year. Things are lonely since her sister Lena went to live with their dad. But at least she has her new boyfriend, Shane Quinn, to make things a little less depressing.
Ella isn’t the only girl who thinks Shane is swoon-worthy…
Shane takes Ella out to blow off some steam, and the party isn’t short on alcohol. When a tipsy old flame “falls” into Shane’s lap, her spontaneous kiss makes Ella more than a little jealous. And when details of Shane’s dating history surface, Ella is determined to be more than a fling.
The V-word will slow things down…
Afraid Shane wants to use her for a little fun, Ella lies and says she’s a virgin. According to his reputation, Shane has commitment issues. Maybe it’ll make him stick around long enough for them to form a real connection before the physical sparks fly. But is he worth the lie? And what happens when both of their insecurities come crumbling down like a house of cards?
She wants his heart. He’s afraid to commit. As the pressure mounts, will they find comfort in each other? Or will they learn that when playing with fire, you risk getting burned?
***BETTER THAN REVENGE – FREE***
SCARLET AWAKENING
PLAYING WITH FIRE
Taylor Henderson is a psychology major at the University of Mary Washington who was born and raised in Northern Virginia. She has been an adamant reader and writer since she was young, and has always found solace in the worlds and characters that other authors have brought to life in their works. Taylor plans to continue writing, and hopes to expand to different genres in the future.
–– FOLLOW TAYLOR ––
Amazon Central: http://www.amazon.com/Taylor-Henderson/e/B00T58JDU6/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorTaylorHenderson
Website: www.taylormhenderson.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TayMHenderson
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/9885214.Taylor_Henderson
Instagram: www.instagram.com/TayMHenderson
June 29, 2016
Fallback – New Release
►►► #NewRelease ◄◄◄
FALLBACK (The Dead Survive Book 2) by Lori Whitwam, Author is now available for purchase on Amazon!
► #oneclick →→ http://amzn.to/1NicBG5
► Publisher: LIMITLESS PUBLISHING
►►► SYNOPSIS ◄◄◄
After being rescued from a brutal band of marauders, Ellen Hale rebuilt her life in the fortified neighborhood that became her home. A heartbreaking decision and devastating loss pushed her to become a fierce fighter, because weakness only got you and those you loved killed.
Now her community is facing a deadly threat, and Ellen has another choice to make.
Ellen volunteers as a member of fallback team three, tasked with establishing a temporary refuge for their citizens in the event their community is overrun by the enemy. As the danger intensifies, she and her adopted sister, Melissa, set off with the rest of their team on the road trip from hell.
Their mission is cloaked in secrecy, but suspicions of a traitor arise.
Something is affecting the zombies’ migration patterns, and when blacksmith Tyler Garrett is discovered trapped in a farmhouse, the team refuses to trust him. But Ellen believes his story, and it’s not just because of his rugged, blond good looks and soft-spoken manner—his skills can greatly benefit their team.
As the team struggles to reach the fallback, previously secure locations are overrun, and their chances of success seem remote. With the likelihood of a traitor nearly certain, and the lives of everyone she loves at risk, Ellen must figure out who to trust before the traitor—or the zombies—destroy them all.
Is there a spy among the fallback team,
or is there another threat lurking in the Kentucky hills?
►►► PURCHASE ◄◄◄
AMAZON →→ http://amzn.to/1NicBG5
►►► Meet the author ◄◄◄
LORI WHITWAM
Lori spent her early years reading books in a tree in northern West Virginia. The 1980s and 90s found her and her husband moving around the Midwest, mainly because it was easier to move than clean the apartment. After seventeen frigid years in Minnesota, she fled to coastal North Carolina in 2013. She will never leave, and if you try to make her, she will hurt you.
She has worked in public libraries, written advertising copy for wastewater treatment equipment, and managed a holistic veterinary clinic. Her current day job, conducted from her World Headquarters and Petting Zoo (her couch) is as the Managing Editor for Limitless Publishing, as well as editing for a select group of indie authors.
Her dogs are a big part of her life, and she has served or held offices in Golden Retriever and Great Pyrenees rescues, a humane society, a county kennel club, and her own chapter of Therapy Dogs International.
She has been a columnist and feature writer for auto racing and pet publications, and won the Dog Writers Association of America’s Maxwell Award for a series of humor essays.
Parents of a grown son, Lori and her husband were high school sweethearts, and he manages to love her in spite of herself. Some of his duties include making sure she always has fresh coffee and safe tires, trying to teach her to use coupons, and convincing the state police to spring her from house arrest in her hotel room in time for a very important concert. That last one only happened once—so far—but she still really, really appreciates it.
You can find her online at http://www.loriwhitwam.com.
Her Facebook author page is http://www.facebook.com/loriauthor
Other Books in the Series
****Free today****
Sacrificed
Cover reveal Sale!!! 99 cents!
Sacrificed has gotten a makeover!
Not only has it gotten a new cover, it has an all new beginning!!!
Sale lasts from now until July 5th!
Burb
Sixteen year old Kass Stathos has it all…
She is pretty they say. She is popular they say. She has doting parents. Her boyfriend is the star quarterback. Her high school experience should be picture perfect…
There’s just one thing missing…Her ability to feel fear.
For as long as Kass can remember she’s never felt the sensation of fear—At least that was true until the little girl showed up. No one else sees her. She wants to show Kass things, disturbing things, and she won’t stop until she does. Kass’ perfect life starts to crumble around her.
Until someone long forgotten crashes back into her life.
Ian was sent away after his mother’s tragic suicide. He’s the only one who believes Kass’ wild stories and he’s always there when she needs him. But could there be more to Ian’s return than what he’s sharing?
When the haunting turns violent Kass knows she’s running out of time.
In the search for figure out who the girl is, and how she’s connected to her, Kass uncovers secrets she could have never been prepared for. Secrets hidden behind the mirage of a perfect life.
Secrets that could shatter everything she has ever known…
June 28, 2016
June 27, 2016
Tangled Up In You
by A.L. Vincent
Release Date: October 27, 2015
Publisher: Limitless Publishing
**Synopsis**
Emily Breaux’s abusive, alcoholic husband keeps drinking away her dreams…
When he cleans out their bank account once too often, Emily packs her meager belongings and returns to her hometown of Bon Chance, Louisiana. Surrounded by the love and support of a group of old friends—collectively known as The Boonies—she’s determined to change her life and open her own catering company.
Contractor Noah Devereaux wants to help Emily rebuild more than just her family home…
Noah is an Iraq war veteran and fighting his own battle with PTSD, and he feels he has little to offer anyone. His nightmares and panic attacks leave him exhausted and on edge, yet he can’t help but find solace in Emily’s quiet presence.
Everyone has dreams, but it takes more than a wish to make them come true…
Emily struggles night and day to scrape together the money to start her business, but this doesn’t stop her friendship with Noah from blooming into something much more. He’s always there to cheer her on, and she’s his bit of tranquility for untangling his troubled mind.
It turns out starting over isn’t easy. Was coming back to Bon Chance a horrible mistake, a sign of failing to make it in the larger world?
But all her friends have returned as well, so maybe—just maybe—having the courage to go back to the beginning will prove the ingredients for a life of love and happiness have been waiting here all along…
Purchase links
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Amazon US (eBook) – http://amzn.to/1Lw9AmN
PAPERBACK – http://amzn.to/1M0rxdz
**About the author**
A.L. Vincent is a teacher/writer who lives in the heart of Cajun Country. Born in Oklahoma, A.L. became fascinated with South Louisiana after reading Interview With the Vampire. Finally, she became a Cajun transplant in 2001. When not getting lost in a story line, A.L. can be found cooking or enjoying live local music. A.L. has one son, and a furball of a dog aptly named Furby.
Limitless Publishing: http://www.limitlesspublishing.net/authors/al-vincent/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ALVincentAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/soonergirl1975
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/12945977-a-l-vincent
June 26, 2016
The Stigma of Romance
In an effort to be more “visible” (it’s not easy being an introvert) I made a vow to participate in real book-related events (as opposed to online events). I am a woman of my word and I signed up for several signings and book sales at local events. I was as excited as I was nervous. I prepared my “swag” (mostly chocolate. You just can’t go wrong with chocolate unless it’s a very hot day), my display, bought a bunch of my own books, designed a special giveaway to earn newsletter followers. I was ready!
I am here to tell you that in the long list of things people are generally prejudiced against and avoid like the plague, you must add romance (as a literary genre). My first event ever was at a winery in a room full of women on Valentine’s Day. I was the only author being spotlighted. I thought; hell, I can’t go wrong with this one. Romance, wine, chocolates and tipsy women. I spent the whole night standing like an idiot by my display (right in the middle of the room where no-one could miss me unless they were blind and even then, they probably would trip over me sometime). I had a great giveaway of a beautiful wine bottle and an autographed book. The only person who talked to me all night was this lady waiting for a table who had no other place to stand but by me. When I went from table to table offering bookmarks and telling them to help themselves to the free chocolates, I was told “I don’t read romance” several times (even though I really didn’t ask) and after they literally raided my goodie basket (there was nothing left) I was left standing alone again. The nice woman who won the giveaway didn’t even want her book autographed.
The next time I thought it was just the location of my table (facing away from everybody else. Not my choice. Just a fluke). I would watch as the “customers” would make their rounds to the other tables, look at the books, ask questions, just generally chat, take some of the free stuff. Even if they didn’t buy any books, they would interact. Then I saw the same people give my table a wide, wide berth. Do I smell? Do I give off some weird vibes, like my ex-boss was so keen at pointing out? Three hours in the sun. One little girl came and asked me if she could have some of my cookies. I was so grateful someone—anyone—was talking to me, I almost gave her all the bags.
The next event was very promising because it involved booze again. This time it was at a Brewery. Well-advertised event, quite a few local authors present. Okay, now we’re talking, I think. Hell no! Same pattern. People going to all the other tables, not necessarily buying but asking questions, looking, talking… Three hours later I had three people come by. Two chatty females who lost their power of speech at my table and a very nice man who was very keen at taking good care of all the authors (he even bought pizza for us. I forgot to ask but I am pretty sure he was the husband of one of the authors). One guy on official business for a small local news site took some chocolate and a bookmark. The rest I brought home. I’m so glad I didn’t invest on more swag.
Don’t get me wrong. I was glad to be there. I got to meet some more local authors and network. The hosts of the events were very generous and kind. But I went home all three times depressed. What’s the deal? They haven’t read any of my writing so it can’t be because my writing stinks. I took a shower and sprayed myself with awesome lavender. I am not a looker but I’m pretty sure I am not repulsive either. My book has a beautiful cover. I’m giving away FREE stuff. What is the problem exactly?
I came to the conclusion that it is the fact that I am a romance writer. I am ashamed to admit it, but at first I was embarrassed to tell people that. There is a stigma about romance. Even though romance is arguably the most read genre in the world, it is not taken as a serious literary genre. If you read romance then you must not be a fan of “real” literature. I was a closet (no pun intended) romance reader myself for a great part of my life. I hate that there is so much badly written romance in the market (because it gives all of us a bad name) but there is also some amazing, beautifully written romances.
There is a very real stigma about romance. I have learned my lesson. Unless there are some special circumstances, I will not be participating anymore in general literature events. I will focus on attending romance-targeted ones where the readers don’t have to feel ashamed to come and ask questions about your book or feel pressured by their own idea of what is good literature. I am hoping that I won’t have to come home destroyed and depressed every time. It’s not the no-sales that does it (I don’t expect to sell much at events). It’s the total invisibility that gets me.
Romance writers of the world unite against this insidious type of prejudice. Romance deserves respect!
Hopelessly Imperfect
Coming out of age, YA, romance
Broken hearts can be mended…or shattered beyond repair…
**SYNOPSIS**
Cancer is a beast.
It’s ugly, savage, and has no mercy.
Cassie learned this all too well while watching her mother slowly deteriorate, one agonizing day at a time…
With the desire to make her mother’s last year the best it can be, she works to be the perfect daughter. Every character trait, witty joke, like and dislike—Cassie molds herself to be what her mother would love most.
But in the end, it still isn’t enough…
After years of pretending, Cassie has no idea who she really is. When her mother slips away, Cassie falls into a deep depression, and thoughts of suicide become her most pressing threat. After a failed attempt, she seeks help, and is eventually able to return to life at home.
Going through senior year as the girl whose mom died sucks…
With her father picking up the pieces of his own heart, and Cassie back in school, she’s able to make a few new friends—one of them being Nathan Rivers. A little quiet, strong, and with inner demons of his own, Cassie can’t help but be intrigued. And as she grows closer to Nathan, the reasons for their mutual attraction slowly unveil.
Pain sometimes feels impossible to cope with. It’s consuming, saturating, and all-encompassing.
As Cassie and Nathan struggle to heal, can they learn to forgive and accept the past, and possibly find happiness in being Hopelessly Imperfect…?
**Meet the Author**
Gabriela Cabezut is a Mexican author who splits her time between her two boys, her books and her pastries. Her love for cooking has been an inspiration for her to open a cake-decorating business. She has always been a total romantic, so it wasn’t a surprise when she started to write romance stories on Wattpad.
She’s part of the Wattpad Stars program and also an Ambassador on the platform.
She recently published one of her stories with one of Philippine’s biggest publishers, Summit books. This year, she is publishing a book series with Limitless Publishing.
She’s an avid reader who loves to connect with readers and writers.
Social media links:
Instagram: gabycabezut
June 25, 2016
Being Human
I never talk politics just as I never talk religion. Both are matters of personal choice and belief. Who’s to say I’m right and you are wrong? (or vice-versa).
However I am making an exception today. Not to really talk politics because let’s face it, politics are games people, who either are in power or want to be, play. Politics is a dirty, dirty game that I refuse to play. What I really want to talk about today is common decency, being a human being, being a mensch.
The world is scaring me lately. There seems to be a tidal wave of fear and divisive ideas rolling through the whole planet. I won’t lie; it keeps me awake sometimes. I understand being scared. There are a lot of bad people out there, capable and willing of doing horrible things in the name of religion, ideals, or just because they can. But should we let that fear rule us and allow it to turn us away from being compassionate and true human beings?
Humans are animals. We do have that survival instinct embedded in us. There is no denial than when in danger, people let their claws come out or the instinct to flee surfaces. However humanity means we have the power, unlike other animals, to make choices; to be empathetic, to be compassionate. We have the power to choose not to flee, not to attack.
The world is at war. Here in the US we are lucky because it’s not being fought within our borders, so to speak. But others are not so lucky. I never lived in a country at war. I have lived through a revolution, though. Fortunately for all Portuguese, the revolution of 1974 (The Carnation Revolution) was not a bloody one. There were only a handful of deaths and not many injuries. It was a “war” of words rather than guns and violence for the most part. But I remember the fear. The constant, mind-numbing fear that at any minute that air force jet flying overhead could start bombing the populace, that the popping sound we heard in the wee hours of the morning was a lot more than the backfire of a car’s exhaust, that someone would suddenly break through our doors and take one of us prisoner. I remember one day driving with my family to the capital for a day out in the city and the panic that ensued as we heard the telling pops of gunfire. Living in fear is like living with an elephant sitting on your chest; you can’t breathe, you can’t move.
I cannot imagine what it’s like to live in a place where bombs are destroying your neighborhoods, where you can’t be sure you won’t have to get up in the middle of the night and flee never to see your home and friends again. I can’t imagine not knowing whether I will have anything to feed my children the next day or fearing that someone will walk through the door and rape my daughter. I just can’t imagine.
I also can’t wrap my head around the idea that fear is telling many of us to shut these war victims out of our countries, to refuse giving them a hand, to show them basic human compassion. But there are terrorists among them. I’m sure there are. Bad people are very creative and are not above using the misery of others to wreck destruction and pain. That’s the definition of a bad human, a criminal, a terrorist. Ask yourselves though, is it right to condemn thousands of innocent people—just hoping to be safe, to have the chance to wake up without the fear of death or pain, to have a future that does not involve guns and destruction—for the evil of a few?
I don’t know about you, but I know I couldn’t live with myself knowing that because of my own personal safety I sacrificed the safety of many others. Let’s look back in history and remember not to make the same mistakes, not to repeat bad decisions…history is a great teacher. But like any other lesson, you must take heed in order to learn.
Belgian Refugees fleeing ahead of the Nazi Army
(photo credit: World War II Today)
